Peach pitter



Aug. 5, 1952 w. WATERS 2,605,796

PEACH PITTER Filed July 18, 1949 7 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. [Mn/w; M71271?! Aug. 5, 1952 w. WATERS 2,605,796

' PEACH PITTER Filed July 18, 1949 7 Shets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. [Mei/w: M4 144mm;

Aug. 5, 1952 w. WATERS 2,605,795

PEACH P'ITTER Filed July 18, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [An mm M14411:

L. W. WATERS Aug. 5, 1952 PEACH PITTER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 18, 1949 5, 1952 I L. w. WATERS 2,605,795

PEACH PITTER Filed July 18, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1952 L. w. WATERS 2,605,796

PEACH PITTER Filed July 18, 1949 v Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. [mu/m 14.4%?!

ya *M Aug. 5, 195 2 w, WATERS 2,605,796

PEACH PITTER Filed July 18, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 elevation.

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 PEACH PITTER Lawrence W. Waters, Ontario, Calif., assignor to Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine 00., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application July 18, 1949, Serial No. 105,281

- 12 Claims. 1 This invention relates particularly. itrelates to a peach pitting machine which is adapted to pit peach halves containing split pits;

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application entitled, Peach Pitter, filed August 6, 1948, Serial No. 42,770, and issuing into Patent No. 2,551,076, dated May 1, 1951. p

In peach pitting operations employing conventional peach pitting machines it frequently happens that a pit is split in half instead of being separated from the meat of the peach and split pits remain in the halves of the peach. It is necessary, of course, to remove the split pit.

The removal of split pits and whole pits from peach halves is not possible by means of conventional peach pitters, which are adapted to operate only on a whole peach.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of peach pitter which is adapted to pit peach halves containing split pits and whole pits.

.It is a further object of the invention to provide a peach pitter of the character described having improved features as compared with the peach pitter of my co-pending application.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

The invention is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig, 1 is a top plan view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine as seen from the right of Fig. 1. p

Fig, 3 is a longitudinal.'section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 V of Fig. 1, showing one of the pitter units in end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, being a section through the pitter unit shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, but onalarger scale.

Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line 11 of Fig. 4, showing the pitter unit of Fig. 4 in side elevation.

Fig. 8 is 'a-section taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

"Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 2, showingthe cam means for operating the pitter unit.

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line lUl0 Fig. 11 is asection taken along the line li ll .of Fig. 1 showing one of the topping units inend to a peach pitter, More Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line l2-|2 of Fig. 6 showing the pitter unit of Figs. 4 and 6 in top plan view.

Fig. 13 is a section taken along the line l3--I3 of Fig. 11 showing the topping unit of Fig. 11 in transverse vertical section.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary View in front elevation of the topping unit of Figs. 11 and 13 as seen from the right of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing the relation of the cutting edge of the pitting knife to the pit finder.

Fig. 16 is a view similar tothat of Fig. 8 showing a modified form of pitting knife.

Fig. 17 is a section taken along the line l'!| 7 of Fig. 16.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine is generally designated as I0, and it comprises a frame I I including side plates l2. A motor I 3 and gear reducer [4 having a sprocket [5 are mounted on the frame. A chain I6 is ledover the sprocket I5 and over a sprocket I7 fixed to the main drive shaft I8, which is journaled in bearings I9 fixed to the side plates l2. A sprocket 25 is fixed to one end of the drive shaft l8 and a chain 26 is led over the sprocket 25 and over a sprocket 27 fixed to one end of a conveyor drive shaft 28 which is journaled in bearings 29 fixed to the side plates l2. Sprockets 30 are fixed to the conveyor drive-shaft 28, being spaced apart, as illustrated, and disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line of the machine. An endless conveyor chain 35 is led overeach sprocket 3B and over a similar sprocket (not shown) on a driven shaft (not shown) at the left hand end of the machine as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. The upper course of each chain 35 is supported and guided by a track 35a suitably anchored to the frame of the machine. Bars 36 extend between and beyond the conveyor chains 35 and are fixed thereto by means of angle brackets 31 and bolts 38, and the bars 3t are disposed inspaced relationship, as illustrated. A pair of fruit cups 39 are fixed to opposite ends of each bar 36 for the purpose of carrying fruit. Recesses 40 are formed inthe cups 39 to facilitate removal of the pitted fruit and for convenience of access.

It will thus be apparent that two conveyor lines are provided-which operate in unison. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, peach halves 45 containing pits 45a are carried by the cups 39 and are conveyed from the leftto right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, from a loading station (not shown) to a topping station A, thence 'to'al pitting station B,

and finally, to an unloading station C;

Identical topping units 46 are disposed at the toppin station A, one for each of the conveyor chains 36. The toppingunits are driven by a 3 motor 41 mounted on the frame of the machine, and the m'otor' 41.has a double shaft 48 to the ends of which pulleys 49 are fixed; The topping units 46 are identical in the construction and operation; hence, only one such unit will be do lowering the topping unit. A short dwell I60 on and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line of themachine and they are anchored to the frame of the machine and extend longitudinally thereof. Set screwsjfi are provided to adjust the topping unit, The pulley is keyed atxfifl to a rotary to pin as which is rotatable on the shaft 52. The knife 58 (see also Figs. 1 3 and ie) ;is -for; med with teeth or blades 59 and with a centrally located annular groove 68 within which -;a Egauging member 81 c iv a. Thes usms m m r U e on us nsandrsua d me b r. 62 w ch is am ed tatt e ros e endro th shaft The s emembertl is gdjuSt able by means of set screws 63 and itjs clamped in adjusted-position by means of aset screw 64. Guide plates tla are also provided. The knife 58 is rapidly rotated about the'axis f hel by nsans' th oto l and i is also oscillated about the 3X 5 ofp votshaftee by means of a earnbar Hl. Thecam bars'lfl extend oc tsd nal ro themac tea s. 3) a t e are d s ed .symln r s l r i es the center lir 1e of;the-machine, there being one bar for each conveyor chain 35. Bar l0 is'slldably mounted at its rearward or left 7 hand end riewe in Fi -1. and We er 1' which i g arr ed. b ra ke s 2 fi l e r e 0 the rnachine. At its other on forward end, bar i sl dab rar t s ca a. r l e '1 m t on a brachet 86 Bar is formed at its rearward n ith a h m. s r ce, "seed. "w h ei acke l6 q e i aq tcn' llandra ea u l t ;e s fi r e cat .sihe s i cw t f Q Q 19 having a cam' surface' liq sirnilar to the cam surface 'li and withja notcl'l '3] ,toreceive the rounded end SZj-o fan arm"8 3 of a bellcrank lever 84 which is rotatable on Qa-shaf-t BS which is mounted a framebrfacket fit. The other arm 81 of thebell crank-84 has afc'am' follower roller 87a rotatably ino-fintedthereon which rides on the periphery offa cam 88 which is'keyed to the drive shaftv I8. Topping unit"46 lias a cap screw 89 fixed'to'its sleeve 53, which rests onthe cam bar 10, which therb fdetermines the angular position of the topping knifees. (See Fig}- ll.) It will be apparent thatfas the motors: I'3 and fill operate, therotary lgnife 58 of each topping unit will rotate; about itsown axis, and-that it will also oscillate about the adjacent pivot shaft 55. The care 88 is formed with a rise 35 which operates to rocl; the bell crank-lever ;84-in -a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. This will cause shifting of the bar 10 to the left and will, accordingly, cause 10am surfaces '15 to-ride up the rollers II, thus lifting bars 10, This will result in pivoting the topping unit; 45 upwardly. Thereafter, a long high dwell96 acts to hold the topping unit in its up positiom'thena recede 99 on the cam 88 acts to allow the bellcrank lever to rock in acounter clockwise"direction and the bar Ill toreturn' to'itsdown position, thereby of the topping unit in itsdown position and it is then lifted again by the rise 95, thus completing a cycle of operation.

The design of the cam 88 is such that the topping unit is raised between each succeeding fruit cup and lowered just as the next fruit cup passes under the sharpened gauge members BI. The knife edge of the members BI cuts through the meat above the level of the pit and rides over the top of said bit. It may be seen that as the fruit passes under the members 6|, the rotating knife 58, being tangential with the lower edge of the gauge member-e will remove the excess meat of the peach above the level of the pit and thereby expose the pit for subsequent operation of the pitting unit. This raising andlowering of the topping unit will gauge and trim each fruithalf individually before passing on .tothe pitting operation.

A pitte'r uhi't l IB is providedfor-each-conveyor chain 35. The pitter units [T0 are identical in construction and operation; hence, only one of them willb'e described. Referring now 'moreparti'c'ula'rly to Figs. 4 and-5,. the "left hand pitter unit III! (as viewed 'i'nFig. 4) 'is supported 'by 'means of "spaced arms I 'I'I for pivotal movement about the left 'ha'ndi'pivot' shafttli. The inner ends of {the arms III ar ourhalledin'a -tubular sleeve 'Il Iawhi'ch isslidabl'ealon'g 'and'r'otatable about the pivotsnan 5'5, A sector-gear I-TZ is fixed to one of the'arm's H I, bing'dispO's'ed'in a vertical plane, and ithe upriight legs H3 of alpitter knife fra'me l'l4 airefixedftbstub shafts I15 which ar e'journall-'ed'inarms I'I I. AsLis-b'e's't shown'in Fig. 8, 'aihollowtruncated 'ellipsoidalpi tterkni fe H6 having a knifeedge I I1 is provided with a spindle' I I8 which is journalled at 7H9 and 1-20 in the bifii'rc'ate'di portion I 21 of a cross ;piece I22 of thefrai'nel N. The icross piece' I22-is mounted at oriefen'd'on a'pin l23 fixe'dto one'of the upr htl s 30fthe-frame and ati ts other end ona'shaft I24 journalled'in the .obp'dsite upright leg of theframe. Bevel gearsI'Z'E aInd Ti'fi' fixed to shaft "I24 and spindle f I I ll, -rs'petively, vpro- Vide'a drivingconnetionbtween the shaft I-24 and spindle H8; A ipiriidn lfiii "is'fiiied to the outer end of the shaft f2 4 anditnieslies with the sector gear 'I I2. A torsion' spring I31 is pinned at I32 to the cross piece l'2'2 afnd 'a tfl'33 .tothe pin I23. Thetorsion'springiafurges'the pi'tter knife in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.6, for a purpose explainedhereinafter. Aslis-also illustrated, adjustable "stop members I29 and I291: are fixed to legs H3 and crosspiece I22, respectively, to limit' clockwise. movement-6f the ,xiitlterknife undertlie influence 6f torsion spring The legs I I sci name I'm are keyed-to the stub shafts H5, which are journalled in the arms l II 'as explained 'l i'ereinabove, and-a-gear [-34 is fixed to'the'outer nd of each ofthe stub shafts-l i4.

- As is-best shown in Figs. 4 and 7;-eachigear:'|34

meshesiwith a gear I35 fixed to one end of ashaft 13b which is jo-urnaledinlthearmsHI, and to one end of-the shaft I36;is=fixed--a=sprocket I3! the other end of which is fixed'bymeanscof a'pin I4|J-to a link I4I (see Figs. .Landd). 'I lierrr ieans employed for actuating the link- MI is described hereinafter.

A torsion s ring [42 ispir medaat I43 to, and is wound up by, a collar I44 clamped 5 to the shaft I36, and the other end of the spring I42- bea'rs at I45 against a tubular Spacer mounted on a shaft I41, so as to urge the shaft I36 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. The pitter unit'I I is also provided with a pit finder I50 and with a stripper element I I which are. best shown in Fig. 6 and which will now be described.

The pit finder I50 is formed with an inverted cup-shaped pit-gauging member I52a "and'with concave-convex prongs I52, and it is mounted on one end of an arm-or bracket I53 which is adjustably mounted 8.17154 on an arm or lever I55 fixed to a stub shaftI56'. The stub shaft I56 is fixed to the outer end of'one arm I58 of a bellcrank lever I59 which is fulcrumed on shaft I41. The arm I55 and pit finder I 50 ar held in down position as shown in Fig. 6 by means of a torsion spring I60 wound on the stub shaft I56 and pinned thereto at I6I and at I62 to the arm I55. A lug I63 on the arm I55 limits against a gauge plate I64. A torsion spring I66 is wound on a sleeve or spacer I 61 which receives the shaft I 41, and it'is pinned at I68'to the sleeve and at I68a to the bell crank I59. It will be apparent that spring I60 acts to hold the pit finder I50 -A torsion spring I12 is wound on the shaft I1I,

being pinnedat I13 to one of the arms land at I14 to a collar I14a which is clamped to the shaft I1I. The springl12 urges the shaft I1I in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, so as to hold the stripper plate I 5 I in its up position abutting the gauge plate I64, as shown in Fig.6.

The pit finder I50 is actuated, in the manner and for the purpose described hereinafter, by means of a cam I15 clamped to the shaft 'I36. The cam I15 is provided with a pin I16 which cooperates with an arm I11 of the bell'crank I 59. The arm I11 is formed with a detent.I18 and with a finger I19 holding a set screw I80 which is clamped'in adjusted position by means of a lock nut I8I. It will be apparent that when the cam I15 moves in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 6, the pin I16 will recede from the detent I18, thus allowing the torsion spring I66 to rock the bell crank I 59 in a counter-clockwise direction,thus retracting the pit finder I 50. When'the cam I15moves in clockwise direction, the pin I16, bearing against the detent I18, will rock the bell crank I59 and will advance the pit finder I50 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The

set screw I80, by abutment with shaft I35, limits retraction of the pit finder I50.

The stripper element I5I is actuated by a lever I82 (see Fig. 4) fixed to the stripper shaft I1I 6 v I I1 of the pitter knife II6 will be held firmly against theipitf'finder prongs" I52 by the torsion spring I'3I'. Itwill alsobe apparent that the pit finder will be urged to'its retracted position by the torsion spring I66] and in the down position by means .of'the torsion spring I60 except when restrained by pin I16 on camtl15; and that the stripper-element1I5'I will be held in the up position abutting the gauge plate I64 by means of the torsion spring I12. In these relative positions the variouscomponents of the pitter-unit II.0' arein readiness for the commencement of a'pitting cycle." J Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 3, ,4, 9 and 10, a cam. I95, best shown in Figs; 3 and 9, is provided which is keyed to the main drive shaft I8. The cam I95 is formed with a cam groove I96. A lever I91 is provided which is fulcrume'd on a shaft I98 mounted in frame brackets I99 which are bolted to the frame of the machine. A roller 200 is rotatably mounted on the lever I91 so as-to ride in the cam groov I96, and the other end of the lever I91 is connected by means of a hinge pin 202 to one end of an adjustable rod 20I, the other end of which is connected by means of a hinge pin 203 to the sleeve IIIa. 'A boss 204'is formed'on the sleeve Ia, and it is recessed at 205 to receive a pin 206 on which'one end of a lever 201 is fulcrumed. The other end of the lever 201 is connected by means of a hinge pin 208 to the link I4I. A roller 209, best shown in Fig. 1, is rotatably mounted at the same end of the; lever 201 to ride upon a cam surface 2I5, formed'cn a'cam bracket 2I6 which is adjustably bolted at 2I1 to a frame bracket 2 I8 mounted on the frame of themachine. The cam surface 2I5 lies in a horizontal plane and it is formed with a dwell portion 2I9 which is parallel to the center line of the. machine and with an inwardly and forwardly slanting portion 220. vIt is intended that the roller 209 travel from its retractedposition as shown in" full lines in Fig. .1 teen extended position as shown in broken lines. I

As shown in Figs.1, 3' and 4, a roller 22I is rotatably mounted on a spacer 22Ia which is fixed to and disposed between the arm III. The

"roller 22I is disposed above and rests on the cam bar 10, which is provided with a wearing liner 222a. It will be apparent that, as the cam bar 10 moves rearwardly or to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3; the arms III, andwith them the pitter unit I'I'0, will be rocked upwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and that on return of the bar '10 the arms II I and the pitter unit. I I9"vvill be rocked downwardly to the position 'shownfin brokenflines in Fig. 4. The arms III and pitter unit IIO are urged to their down position by means of a compression spring 222 (see'Fig's. 4 andlO); The spring 222 is compressed between a collar 223 formed on a pin 224, and a nut 225 onthe threaded portion of apin 226. One end of the pin 224 is received in a recessf221 formed ina boss 230 which is formed e5 on' one of the arms III. One end of the pin 226 'isrec'eived within a similar recess 233 formed in a similar boss 234'on the opposite arm II I. The

pm 224 is: tubular in construction so as to slidably receive'the inner end of the pin 226, and the 'compression'of spring 222 is adjustable by means of nut 225 and is clamped in adjusted position b'y means of a nut235. j

' Operation of the machine, is as follows: The

motor I 31s started, and also the motor 41, to drive j.

the various elements of the." machine. Peach slanting portion 226.

halves'are'loaded in the'fruit cups39, manually or otherwise, at'the rearward or left handend of the, machine as viewed in Fig. .3, with the pits transverse to the center line of the machine, as i lustrated. The peach" halves are carried .to the right by meanslof'thejconveyor chains 35. At thetopping -,'station Afeach topping unit 46 is rocked upwardly. to the position shown in full lines ang. ll,j in timed relation to travel of the fruit; as a fruit cup approaches the topping station, and it 'is' then rocked downwardly over the fruit cup so the topping knifei58 will trim across the entire peach. This, of course, is accomplishedbymeans of the cam barlfi in cooperation with the capscrew89. The cam bar If! is actuated by the'maindrive motor l3 through the means described hereinabove. The rotary knife 58 is drivenby the motor 41 and it operates to cut oil" excess meat from the fruit so as to ,ex-

pose the pit for subsequent operation of the pit the pit finder I50, as shown in Fig. 5. The pit finder is held in advanced position as there shown, and the stripper element I5I is held in its up position abutting the gauging plate I 64. Also, the pitter unit I I9 is'held in its down position by means of thefconipres'sion spring 222.

As a fruit cup approaches the pitting unit I I6, the cambar'lfl operates to pivot the arms I I I and pitter unit IIU upwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4', thus clearing theway for the fruit cup andf'ruit to approach the pitting station. Whenthe fruit'cup isjin appropriate po--' sition; cam bar 19' is retracted, thus allowing the pitting unit to pivot downwardly to pitting position under its own weight and under. the urging of compressionspring 222;

The main pitter cam I95 operates the various elements 'of'the pitter unit I III while rocking motion is, imparted thereto by means of the cam 88 and cam bar ID. The main pitter cam I95, as

stated,is formed with a cam groove I96. ,The cam groove I96, comprises a long highdwell 259, a recede 25I which changes very rapidly at 252 to a rise 253'. When the roller 200 on the pitter operating leverIS'l isriding in the dwell portion 256 of cam groove I96, the sleeve III and the pitter unit III) are in their relatively rearward position. Counter-clockwise rotation is'imparted to the main drive shaftlii as viewed in Fig. 9. Therefore, as the pitter actuator lever I91 commencesto ride in the recede 25I of cam groove I96, the sleeve III and pitter unit III) are pulled forwardly along the pivot shaft 55. This will cause cam roller .209 (see Fig. l) on lever 29! to ride, first along the. horizontal dwell portion 2I9 of cam surface 2I5 and then inwardly along the Corresponding clockwise movement willbe imparted to the link I4I as the .roller- 299 ridesinwardly along the surface 226.

As the cam follower roller209 rides inwardly along the slanting portion 229 of the cam surface 2I5, the pitter. head drive chain I38 will, of

course, be pulled inwardly and the pitter-head drive sprocket I31 willbe rotated counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4, thus imparting a similar .dium of gears I35 and I34.

motion to the shaft I36. As will beapparent from Fig. 6, pin I15 will move away from detent I18. Bell crank I59 will rock in clockwise direction under the influence of torsion spring I66, thus retracting pit finder I50. During the retracting of the pit finder I59, the pit finder prongs- Iit locate the position of the pit,and since the pitter knife H6 is, spring-biased to hold the knife against these prongs, the start of the pitting cut is determined by the position of the pit finder. Once the pitter knife passes the ends of the prongs, I59a, the spring-biasing of the pitter knife II6 causes the knife edge of the pitter to yieldingly engage the pit so that thepit gauges the cut of the pitterknife into the fruit. As before described, the pit finder I59 is spring-biased downwardly about the shaft I56 due to the torsion spring I66, and this allows'the finder to be raised by the pit of the fruit as the pitter knife IIB makes the cut around the pit, thus allowing the knife to cut a minimum amountof meat exteriorly'of the pit. Simultaneously, counterclockwise motion of shaft I36.will cause clockwise motion of stubshafts II5 through theme- Thus clockwise motion, as viewed in Fig. 6, will be imparted to the pitter frame I 14, causing it to'travel in an arc. Meanwhile, torsion spring I3I will operate to hold the knife-edge III of pitter knife II6 firmly against the knife edge I52 of the pit finder I56 (see Figs. 6, 8 and 17). Also, as the pitter frame H4 and pitter knife II6 travel through an are from the solid line position to the broken line position, of Fig-6, engagement of pinion I36 with sector gear I I2 will impart rotary motion to'the pitter knife I'I6 about its spindle, through the medium of shaft I24 and bevel gears I25 and I26. Thus, the pitter knife will be rapidly ro- Thereafter, cam roller 266 will travel in rise 253 of cam groove I96 and corresponding rearward movementwill be imparted to the sleeve IIIa and to the arms III, and the pitter unit I I 9. The cam rollers 299 will ride, outwardly along the slanting cam surfaces22ll and the pitter unit drive chain I 38 will be slackened. Torsion spring I42 will act immediately to take up slack in the chain I36, thus imparting clockwise movement to shaft I36 and corresponding counter-clockwise movement to gear I34, which will operate to r0- tate the pitter frame H4 in a counter-clockwise direction. to the upright position shown infull lines in Fig.6; Clockwise motion of the shaft I36 will also cause pin I16 to rock lever I59 in clockwise direction, thus acting to move pit finder I50 to its extended position as shown in Fig.5.

As mentioned hereinabove, rocking motion about the pivot shaft55 is imparted to the pitter unit IIUby means of the cam 88, through the 7 medium of cam bar I6. This rocking movement is timed .in relation to operation of the pitter knife I I6 and pit finder I5 I, so as to lift the pitter unit to clear a path for an approaching fruit cup and fruit, lower the pitter unit into operative positionat the proper'moment and then lift it again after thepitting operation has been completed. Also, the entirepitter unit moves with the fruit during pitting.

The stripper plate I5I is also operated in timed .9 I relation to operation of the pitter unit H0. Thus, referring to Figs. 1, 4 and6, the stripperoperating lever I82 contactsrc am I83 causing clockwise movement ofthe stripper shaft Ill and of the stripper plate l5l, as viewed in'Fig. 6:. The fruit frequently exhibits a tendency to adhere to the gauge plate I64, and clockwise motion is impartedto the stripper plate to strip the fruit from the gauge plate. This action is timed to occur 'just as the pitter unit is being raised from the'fruit.

Referring 'now to Figs. 16 and 17, a modified form of pitter knife 260 is illustrated. This pitter knife has a spindle 26l which is non-rotatably and adjustably mounted on a shaft 262 by means of nuts 263. The shaft 262 is journaled in legs 264 of the pitter knife frame265 and is urged in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 17, so as to bear firmly against the pit finder 1 50, by means of a torsion spring 266. The knife 260 is cut away as illustrated to provide an open face 261. The angle of this face and the diameter of the ellipsoidal knife alongthe minor axis determines the depth and shape of the cut, and by providing an assortment of knives 260, they may be substituted, one for another, in accordance with the pit characteristics of the peaches being processed. V P

Other parts of pitter-knife assembly of Figs. 16 and'l'l which are similar to the pitter knife assembly of Figs. 6 and8, are similarly numbered and require no further description.

It will thus be apparent that a machine has been provided which effectively operates to pit peaches. More particularly it operates topit peach halves having whole or-split pits therein.

Among the numerous advantages of, the machine may be mentioned the following: It provides a complete machine for both topping-the peach, to provide a clean surface and to expose the pit, anda pitting unit. Further, the various operations are accurately timed so as to clear a path for fruit approaching and leaving the operating stations. Spring means'are provided for normally holding the various operating elements of the pitter unit in the appropriate position for commencement of 'a cycle of operation. A pit finder is provided and means for operating the same, such that thefinder is held in an outward position to engage an 'end of the pit, and it is then retracted to clamp the pit and the peach firmly in place and to guide the pitter knife during its cutting operation.

It will be apparent that the pitter knife, in rotating in a vertical plane and also about its spindle axis, will make a, thorough and clean cut, and that it will be accurately guided by the pit finder prongs so that the cut will conform closely to the shape and size of the pit. It will also be seen from Fig. that, after leaving the pit finder prongs, the pitter knife will be guided 'by the pit itself. Thus the keel of the knife edge Ill bears against the pit and the knife is thereby guided by the pit but has little or no tendency to bite into the pit.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A peach pitting machine comprising a frame defining a topping station and a pitting station, continuous conveyor means disposed longitudinally of the frame, fruit holding means 10 fixed to said conveyor means in uniformly spaced relationship, arotatable topping knife, means for rotating the same, means mounting the topping knife at said topping-station for oscillatory movement in plane transecting'the path of travel of the fruit, a pitting knife; means mounting the same for oscillatory movement in a plane transecting the pathof travel of the fruit, means for operating the pitting knife to make a pitting cut, and camgmeans operable to oscillate said topping knife and pitting knife in timed relation to travel of the fruit to clear a path for fruit-entering and leavingthetopping and pitting stations and to present said knives to the fruit to accomplish the topping andpitting operations.

2. A peach pitting machine comprising a frame defining a topping station and a pittingstation, continuous conveyor means disposed longitudinally of the frame; fruit holding means fixed to said conveyorme'ans' in uniformly spaced relationship, a rotatable topping knife, means for rotating the same, means mounting the topping knife at said topping station for oscillatory movement in a plane transecting the path of travel of the fruit, a pitting knife, means mounting the same for oscillatory movement in a plane transecting the path of travel of the fruit, means for operating the pitting knife to make a pitting cut, and cam means operable to oscillate said topping knife and pitting knife in timed relation to travel of thefruit to. clear a path for fruit entering and leaving the topping and pitting stations and to present said knives to the fruit to accomplish the topping and pitting operations, said cam means comprising a single'reciprocable bar extending longitudinally of the machine and operable, by reciprocation, to oscillate said knives.

'3. A peach'pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding a pit, means for moving the pit finder in one plane to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder insuch location until after the 'pit isdisunited from the peach, -a pitting knife'engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis'fspaced from-the knife, resilient means urging said shaft to pivot in a direction to maintain engagement between the knife andthefinder, and means for oscillating said arms about an axis adjacent the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit.

4;. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding a pit, means for moving the'pit finder in one plane to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder insuch location' until after thepit is disunited from the peach, a pitting knife engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the-pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the knife, resilient means urging said shaft to pivot in a direction to maintain engagement between the knife and the finder, and means for oscillating said arms'about an axis adjacent the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit, saidpit finder being yieldably mounted to enable it-to'be displaced from said one plane by said pit during separation of the pit from, the meat of thepeach.

5. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong'for' findingfla pit; means formoving the pit finder'in one plane to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in such location until after the pit is disunited from the meat of the peach, a pitting knife having a circular cutting edge, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the knife, resilient means urging said shaft to pivot in a direction maintainingengagement between the knife andfinder, means for oscillating said arms about an axis adjacent the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit, and means for rotating said shaft and therefore the knife during oscillation of said knife.

6. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding apit, means for moving the pit finder in one direction to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in such location until after the pit is disunited from the peach, a pitting knife engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis spacedfrom the knife and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, resilient means urging said shaft to pivot in adirection to maintain engagement between the knife and the finder, and means for oscillating said arms about an'axis adjacent. the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit.

7. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding a pit, means for moving the pit finder in one direction to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in such location until after thepit is disunited from the peach, apittin'g knife engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the knife and perpendicularto the axis of the shaft, resilient means urging said shaft topivot in a direction to maintainengagement between the knife and the finder, and .means for oscillating said arms about an axis parallel to the first named axis, perpendicular ;to the axis of the shaft, and disposed adjacent to the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit.

8. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding a pit, means for moving the pit finderin one direction tolenable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in such location until after thepit is disunited from the peach, a pitting knife engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting the shaft-for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the knife and perpendicular to. the axis of the shaft, resilient means urging said shaft to pivot in-a direction to maintain engagement between the knife and the finder, and means for oscillating said arms about an. axis parallel to the first named axis, perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, and disposed adjacent to the finder to thereby oscillate the knife to scoop out a pit, said pit finder being yieldably mounted to enable it to be displaced from theplane of its movement by said pit during separation of the pit from the meat of the peach.

9. A peach pitter comprising a pit finder having a prong for finding a pit, means for moving the pit finder in one direction to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in'such location. until after. the pit is disunited from the peach, a pitting knife engaging said pit finder, a shaft to which the pitting knife is secured, arms pivotally supporting'the shaft for pivotal movement aboutan axis spaced from the knife and I perpendicular tofthe axis of the shaft, resilient to scoop out a .pit, and means for rotating said shaft and therefore the knife during oscillation of said knife.

10. A peach pitter, comprising a pit finder, meansfor moving the pit finder to enable it to locatea pit, a pitting knife directly engaging said finder and being mounted for movement with the finder, resilient means urging the knife to remain in engagement with the finder, means for oscillating the knifeabout an axis perpendicular to. the direction of travelof the finder to enable the knife to scoop out a pit, and means for rotating the knife about another axis perpendicular to the axis of oscillation.

- .11. A peach pitter, comprising a pit finder, means for moving the pit finder to enable it to locate a pit and maintaining said pit finder in such location until after a pit is disunited from the peach, a pitting knife directly engaging said finder and being mounted for movement with the finder, said knife having a circular cutting edge, resilient means urging the knife to remain in engagement with the finder, means for oscillating the knife about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the finder to enable the knife to scoop out a pit, and means for rotating the knife about another axis perpendicular to the axis of oscillation and perpendicular to the plane containing the circular cutting edge of the knife.

12. A peach pitter, comprising a pit finder, means for moving the pit finder to enable it to locate a pit, a pitting knife directly engaging said finder and being mounted for movement with the finder, resilient means urging the knife to re main in engagement with the finder, means for oscillating the knife about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the finder to enable the knife to scoop out a pit, and means for rotating the knife about another axis perpendicular to the axis of-oscillation, said pit finder being yieldably mounted toenable it to be displaced from the plane of its movement by said pit during separation of the pit from the meat of the peach. I LAWRENCE W. WATERS.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 1,512,410 Eldridge Oct. 21, 1924 1,785,014 Norgaard Dec. 16, 1930 2,061,051 v Thompson Nov. 17, 1936 2,255,533 Ridley Sept. 9, 1941 2,376,526 Thompson May 22, 1945 2,380,530 Jepson July 31, 1945 2,388,682 Ewald et a1 Nov. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country I Date 4 6169/32 Australia Feb. 17, 1932 112,506 Australia Feb. 20, 1941 112,634 Australia Mar. 13, 1941 

